Jeanne Grasso focuses her practice on maritime, international, and environmental law for clients worldwide. Ms. Grasso counsels owners and operators of vessels, charterers, cargo owners, and facilities, including manufacturing facilities, both marine-side and inland. Her practice involves:

regulatory compliance counseling related to the U.S. Coast Guard; Environmental Protection Agency; U.S. Customs and Border Protection; and Maritime Administration, among other federal and state agencies, including providing advice regarding ballast water, air emissions, EPA’s Vessel General Permit, and maritime security

internal and grand jury investigations

defense of administrative, civil, and criminal enforcement actions

counseling on risk mitigation strategies related to pollution incidents around the world

maritime environmental compliance and training in connection with federal and state requirements

pollution incident response

coastwise trade matters

identifying administrative and legislative solutions in connection with maritime and environmental compliance challenges

Ms. Grasso writes and lectures extensively on criminal enforcement of environmental laws and Coast Guard regulatory matters. She also conducts training sessions and assists clients with establishing compliance programs in an effort to avoid enforcement actions.

Prior to joining Blank Rome, Ms. Grasso worked in the Office of Congressional Affairs at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (“NOAA”) handling fisheries and oceans matters. She also served as staff to the House of Representatives’ Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries.

She doesn't just provide legal review — rather, she works with clients to identify the operational options that either meet or exceed regulatory requirements. —Chambers USA

Ms. Grasso is highly ranked by Chambers USA for her work in shipping regulatory matters, with a client source stating, “When I think of her, I think of Coast Guard matters, and I think highly of her.” Chambers has also noted that “she doesn't just provide legal review—rather, she works with [clients] to identify the operational options that either meet or exceed regulatory requirements” and that she is described as a “distinguished practitioner known for her useful government relations expertise.” Clients have further stated that she is “a smart, hard-working person and a good role model” who is “very tapped into the community worldwide.”

Ms. Grasso is a guest lecturer at the Massachusetts Maritime Academy where she speaks on legal issues related to pollution incidents for the Academy's OPA 90 Qualified Individual training program. In 2013, she was appointed to the Marine Board of the National Research Council where she served until 2016. Ms. Grasso has served on the Advisory Board of the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center since 2007.

In October 2013, Ms. Grasso was elected to serve on the Executive Committee of the Women’s International Shipping & Trading Association (“WISTA”). Prior to that appointment, Ms. Grasso was the president of WISTA USA for five years. She is a member of the Maritime Law Association and served on the Board of Governors of the Propeller Club of Washington, D.C., from 2005 to 2011. She also served as a secretary and board member of the World Ocean Council from 2010 to 2013.